October 11, 2013
Leading-edge technology for Nobel prize winners and ski enthusiasts
Dear reader
Nearly half a century lies between the idea of the Higgs particle and the award of the Nobel Prize in physics to Peter Higgs and François Englert. The detection of the Higgs particle at CERN in summer 2012, made possible by advanced technology, contributed to the eventual honour for the two scientists. It is not surprising that CERN scientists have also developed advanced technology for other fields of application. For example, young company Arktis Radiation Detectors was launched from a development team at CERN and this week the company announced another success: it has just completed a financing round of $2.9 million.
Another example of the meeting of advanced technology and entrepreneurship is medtech start-up STBL. It has developed a unique device for continuous measurement of blood pressure, which can be worn on the wrist like a watch.
Even the four new holders of the CTI Start-up Label – Ampard, Dahu, Newscron and Uepaa! – have much background development and technology. This results not in highly sophisticated high-tech devices that only a handful of experts understand, but products for everyday use, such as a ski boot with a removable outer skeleton that makes walking to and from the ski lifts much easier. Other examples are the well-known apps from Newscron and Uepaa! The latter’s rescue app has just been expanded to include premium features.
The range and depth that the Swiss start-up scene has achieved is shown by the number of applications to CEO Day – 545 participants have already registered and the registration period is open until next Friday.
This breadth is also shown by supporters. This week we reported on the success of base7booking.com and OneLab Solutions, two start-ups housed in the incubator of the prestigious Lausanne Hotel School. Also worthy of note are the numerous Startup Weekends taking place over the coming weeks along with three support programmes for social and green start-ups.
I would also point to Venture Night at the Lift conference in Geneva, which attracts hundreds of people. Ambitious start-ups can win attractive prizes and make valuable contacts. The application process for Venture Night is now open.
Have a nice weekend.
Stefan Kyora
Managing Editor, startupticker.ch
News
The new Swiss Venture Capital Report was published on 26 January. It analyses 304 financing rounds closed in 2020 and includes further article such as an interview with Michael Hengartner, President of the ETH Board, and a list of Swiss "soonicorns". 
